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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man accused of battering pregnant woman

Michael Avalos

An Ocala man was arrested after he allegedly battered a pregnant woman while she was driving.

Michael Avalos, 42, of 525 NE Sanchez Ave., was charged with aggravated domestic battery on a pregnant victim after the incident, which happened Wednesday in the victim’s vehicle as it traveled east on SW Highway 484. Avalos has a prior domestic battery conviction in Pasco County in 2018.

The victim was sitting in her vehicle, highly distraught, when a Marion County sheriff’s deputy arrived. Her button-up dress was wide open and it appeared she was pregnant, according to the sheriff’s office report.

The victim, who confirmed she was pregnant, told the deputy she picked up Avalos and was driving when they got into an argument. She said Avalos used is right hand to slap her face and then grabbed her dress so hard it unbuttoned and ripped open, exposing her genitals and stomach, the report said.

The victim said Avalos grabbed the steering wheel as she was driving and tried to wreck the vehicle. She said she stopped the vehicle on Highway 484 in front of the Timberwalk neighborhood and Avalos got out of the car and started walking eastbound, according to the report.

The deputy said she didn’t observe any physical injuries on the victim because her face was pink from crying. The victim declined medical attention, the report said.

Another deputy responded to the 7800 block of SW Highway 484 in response to several calls about a woman being battered and found Avalos walking. Avalos said he didn’t want to speak to the deputy because he didn’t do anything, according to the report.

While being taken to the Marion County Jail, Avalos said he was concerned because the victim is “crazy.” He’s being held on $2,500 bond and will appear in Marion County Court on June 30.